August is National Wellness Month, and it’s a perfect opportunity to prioritise your well-being and make positive changes to lead a healthier and happier life physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here at Escapade, we’ll explore a simple yet effective guide to wellness. Make it a goal to try one of these six ways to boost your wellness each day.
The Global Wellness Institute define wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyle that lead to a state of holistic health.
Mindful Eating
Being mindful of what you put in your body is more than just a trend; it’s a practice rooted in science. Research shows that mindful eating can help support emotional eating and binge eating, promoting a healthier relationship with food.
Focus on nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This balanced approach provides your body with essential nutrients, supporting both physical and mental well-being.
Regular Exercise
Exercise is a cornerstone of wellness. According to the Mental Health Foundation, engaging in regular exercise has the potential to enhance your well-being. Participating in regular physical activity can increase our self-esteem and can reduce stress and anxiety.
Research also found that low-intensity aerobic exercise for 30-35 minutes, 3-5 days a week, for 10-23 weeks was best at increasing positive moods (e.g., enthusiasm, alertness).
Quality Sleep
Sleep is essential for your overall health. It’s during sleep that your body repairs itself, joins memories, and supports brain function. Studies show that adults aged 18 to 65+ should strive for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Create a helpful sleep environment by keeping your bedroom dark, quiet, and a comfortable temperature.
Also, put that phone away! Limit screen time before bed to improve your sleep quality.
Social Media Detox
With information constantly being thrown at us via social media, you must take time each day to disconnect from social media to boost your mental and physical health. A social media detox can help with sleep, mood and anxiety.
Aim to put your phone away one hour before bedtime to allow your brain to wind down before falling asleep.
Social Connections
Strong social connections are linked to improved mental and emotional health. Spend time with friends and family, join a club to meet new people who share the same interest as you, engage in meaningful conversations, and nurture those relationships.
These types of social connections help individuals to cope with their stress and anxiety, by offering a means of being listened to and heard by someone who can relate to their experience. These connections ward off isolation, which has the potential to cause mental health issues like depression.
Studies show that individuals with adequate social relations have a 50% greater likelihood of reduced risk of early death compared to those with poor or insufficient social relationships.
Practice Gratitude
Cultivating gratitude has been associated with increased happiness and life satisfaction. Take a few moments each day to reflect on the things you’re thankful for and speak words of affirmation.
This practice can shift your focus towards positivity and enhance your overall outlook on life.
Conclusion
As we celebrate National Wellness Month, remember that wellness holds not just physical health benefits but emotional and mental benefits too! By incorporating mindful eating, regular exercise, good sleep, social connections, and gratitude into your routine, you can start on a journey to improved well-being.
Remember, small steps can lead to significant changes in your well-being.
Happy National Wellness Month!
Want to read more wellness content? Check out Escapade’s blog post on 3 Tips to Manage Anxiety!
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References:
https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/
https://ohwellbeing.com/improving-workforce-health/sleep-well/
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316
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